Community Standards Mission

Mission of the Community Standards Program

The Office of Residence Life is obligated to respond in an educational manner to issues which affect members of the residence hall community. We have a responsibility to intervene where behaviors within the residence hall community impede, contradict or are inconsistent with:

standards set by the residence hall community

the academic mission of the University

contractual agreements made between the student and the University

The Office of Residence Life is committed to developing residence hall communities which challenge and support the total development of the student. Our desire is to provide a residence hall environment that is comfortable and conducive to learning and personal growth. As members of the residence hall community, we accept certain rights and responsibilities. Being caring members of the residence hall community means working toward the development of a civil environment which is purposeful and just.

The primary objectives of the residence hall system of community standards are:

to respond to and address the cause of inappropriate behavior in order to further the student's development and enable him/her to become a positive contributor to the community

to discourage a student's inappropriate behavior from recurring in the future

to provide resources and/or sanctions which will support student's learning

The foundation of the Residence Hall System of Community Standards is comprised of several student development principles which support the growth of the total student.

These principles include:

Support of the Individual - Students who meet with Residence Life staff for violating community standards will be treated as individuals and in a fair and supportive manner. Through staff interactions, students will feel that their individual contributions to the community are valued and respected.

Support of Community Development - The Residence Life Community Standards Process will positively impact the development of residence hall communities which embody certain essential values and characteristics including: civility, diversity, equality, respect for rights, property, and safety of others.

Educational Foundation - The Community Standards Process will be supportive of the intellectual and moral development of each student.

Developmental Approach to Community Standards - Interactions and sanctions will appropriately challenge and support students as they struggle through personal stages of development.